Post-traumatic stress disorder is certainly possible after a car accident. Not only is that a potentially traumatic event, especially if someone is injured or another person passes away, but it is often unexpected. It happens so suddenly and can feel so jarring that it has a major mental and emotional impact on the person who is involved.
The exact way that this PTSD manifests can be different from case to case. Some people find themselves having flashbacks or nightmares, for example. Others feel nervous to drive or may find it impossible to get in a car. Even if they can ride in a motor vehicle or drive themselves, they may start avoiding the scene of the crash or practicing other similar avoidance behaviors. PTSD is often strongly linked to issues like depression and anxiety.
Can you get PTSD without being injured?
In many cases, the chances of PTSD are higher if there are serious injuries. Naturally, the injuries cause a lot of pain and suffering, and they may lead to significant life changes. A person who is dealing with chronic back pain or spends months in the hospital getting treatment after a car accident could find themselves extremely anxious about driving once they finally get released.
But even when there is just a risk of injury, PTSD can happen. One woman was rear-ended while her baby was in the backseat, for example. The baby was ultimately unharmed in the crash, but the woman had a moment of panic thinking that the child had been killed in the accident. This led to the onset of PTSD in the wake of that crash.
PTSD can be life-changing, affecting someone’s emotional well-being, earning capacity and medical needs. If you have been involved in a car accident someone else caused, you may deserve financial compensation.